Played 63 tests for Ireland and was a British and Irish Lion. During the 1971 tour when the Lions won the test series over New Zealand, he was pack leader - this was the first and last series win over New Zealand. After retiring from playing, McBride managed the 1983 Lions tour to New Zealand.

Jack Kyle OBE, previous Patron until 2014

British and Irish Lions player, Jack is best known for leading Ireland to a grand slam in the 1948 Five Nations Championship. The New Zealand Almanac, in 1950, named him as one of the six players of the year when he was playing for the British Lions on their tour to New Zealand and Australia.

PATU

A wooden club used by Maori warriors in hand-to-hand fighting where split section action is required. Made of wood, bone or stone.

LONG CLUB

The tewhatewha was a two-handed club popular with Maori warriors. Sometimes decorated with feathers, to flick at the face of the opponent as a distraction.

TRAY

This lovely tray is made of paua shell and chrome. Gifted to the Museum by Mrs Tease.

CARTOON

One of a number of cartoons. This example depicts John Ballance, introducing a progressive Land Tax.

PARCEL SACKS

Made of jute with cotton labels, these were used to send food parcels, such as an egg immersed in a tub of lard, to County Down from New Zealand. Gifted to the Museum from Mrs Menelly.

CRICKET BAT

Signed by the 1994 New Zealand touring team during their visit to Belfast

MAORI ARTWORK

SITE PLAN

Showing Phase 1 & Phase 2

THE FARMHOUSE

Phase 1, 1990

THE RESTORED COTTAGE ROOM

The interior gable wall was built from original stones found at the site.

THE TEA BARN

A restored 19th barn is now used as our Tea Barn. The flowerbed contains New Zealand natives that can grow in our local climate.

FIREPLACE

The Parlour fireplace before its restoration.

RESTORED PARLOUR

Mrs Jill McIvor

Jill McIvor was the inspiration for the rebuilding of The Ballance House following the publication of ‘The Rainmaker’ by her son Timothy in New Zealand. She was subsequently appointed the Honorary Consul for New Zealand in Northern Ireland. Mrs McIvor formed the Ulster New Zealand Trust (UNZT) in the 1990s and put together a team to restore the original home of John Ballance.

MAORI ARTWORK

Presented by The Right Honorable James Bolger, previous Prime Minister of New Zealand during his visit to Ballance House on 12 March 1993.

CIGARETTE BOX

A beautifully crafted wooden box depicting the native woods of New Zealand. On loan from Mrs D McMurray.

DECLARATION OF FRIENDSHIP & GOODWILL

This document, dated 1994, between the City of Wanganui and Borough of Lisburn, recognises the historic link formed by John Ballance. It was renewed 20 years later at a ceremony in Wanganui.

THE OLD PRIVY

The outside facilities of the era.

HORSE WALKER

Horses walking around the cobbled area turned the spindle which in turn rotated the butter churn in the house.

MAORI PHOTOGRAPH

One of a large selection of photographs depicting Maori life covering a period from the 1860s-1930s. Donated from the Collection of the Auckland Institute & Museum.

BLUE PLAQUE

This marks the actual site of the cottage in which John Ballance was born in 1839